Creative Root is taking steps to ensure your camp experience will not only be incredibly fun and artistically exciting, but as safe as possible for both participants and instructors. Currently, we will not require campers to provide proof of vaccination although it is strongly recommended. We will remain mask-friendly, and you can let us know if you would like your camper to wear a mask indoors or outside. You’ll receive a Welcome Letter and comprehensive information packet two weeks prior to your camp session start date that will include policies//procedures if staff or campers who are exposed, symptomatic or diagnosed with Covid. And you can find DePaul’s campus policies here: https://resources.depaul.edu/coronavirus/Pages/default.aspx

Each group has one lead teaching artist and one college intern in the room at all times. (One adult per every 10 students.) There is an admin floater who assists with groups as needed. Please note that staff are trained theater professionals and are NOT certified in special education or mental health counseling. If your student requires an aide during the school year or one-on-one care, unfortunately our camp is not equipped to handle those needs. Please feel to reach out if you have additional questions!

We will learn about all things theater—from acting to design to scriptwriting. You’ll learn how to build a story and bring it to life, all while making new friends! We will grow and deepen our ensemble through collaboration—working with and learning from each other to share our own individual stories and talents. We’ll always start each day by warming up our bodies and minds with gentle yoga-based stretching, breathing exercises, and mindfulness. We will warm up our actor’s tools (imaginations//bodies//voices) and build our ensemble through a variety of fun theater games and activities. In our first week, we will spend time together exploring our story, its characters and collectively creating a script. In our second//third weeks, we’ll bring our story to life through rehearsals and design elements focusing on props, costumes, and shaping what our world looks like. The awesome part about summer camp is that each camp experience is unique to its ensemble and how they envision their story together!

Our two week sessions take place Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm. (No camp on Sat/Sun). We do offer a one week//half day session for ages 4-6.

• 9:00-9:15 Drop-Off
• 9:15- 9:45 am: Check-in, ensemble warm-up, and goal setting for the day
• 9:45 – 10:30 am: Theater games and exercises to build the ensemble and work on the fundamentals of acting
• 10:30-10:45 am: Snack Break!
• 10:45-12:00 pm: Creative storytelling, music, movement, writing, and rehearsal
• 12:00-1:00 pm: Lunch Club at the playground!
• 1:00-2:50 pm: Mindful moment & re-centering for the afternoon, craft projects, rehearsal/filming, & closing reflection
• 2:45-3:00 pm: Pick Up